Victor Kyallo has learned to read the land the hard way. From his small farm in Katumani, Machakos County, barely ten kilometres from the Kapiti Plains, he can tell when the rains will fail long before the clouds disappear.
Use of data
Findings from Kapiti complicate the dominant narrative. Preliminary data suggest that free-ranging cattle in well-managed rangelands may have a smaller climate footprint than animals raised in intensive feedlots.
“Natural vegetation here actively absorbs carbon that can partially offset emissions from grazing livestock. This challenges the assumption that all cattle systems are equally damaging,” Kimengich says.
According to Prof Mrode, diet is a key factor. “Cattle feeding on native grasses and browse, often rich in tannins, tend to emit less methane than grain-fed animals. Also, seasonal changes in forage quality also influence emission levels, a clear indicator of the importance of rangeland management rather than blanket solutions,” he adds.
The tower’s value extends beyond climate accounting. By tracking carbon and water exchange, it can detect vegetation stress well before it becomes visible. In a drought-prone region like Machakos, this information could transform how farmers and herders respond to looming crises.
“It gives us an early warning. Days or even weeks before vegetation shows signs of stress, we can already see it in the data,” Kimengich explains.
However, the technology has its limitations. “The tower measures gas exchange within a specific footprint, which can change with wind direction and terrain. Separating emissions from livestock, soil, and vegetation also requires careful analysis of animal movement and grazing patterns, Kimengich says, adding that the science is complex, and the findings must be interpreted with caution.
But compared to traditional methods that rely on feedlot data or controlled laboratory chambers, the Eddy Covariance approach offers a direct, ecosystem-level view of how African rangelands function in reality, which is rare.
For Victor Kyallo, the science unfolding at Kapiti carries real stakes. As rainfall becomes less predictable and land pressure intensifies, small-scale farmers and pastoralists are often blamed for environmental degradation, despite the fact that they are also among the most exposed to climate shocks.
Findings from Kapiti suggest that the answer may not be to abandon livestock altogether, but to manage them more wisely. “By aligning grazing practices with ecological conditions, restoring vegetation, and recognising the role rangelands can play in sustaining livelihoods while reducing emissions, the research points toward a more balanced path for both people and the climate,”explains Prof Mrode.
